#trying not to fall prey to the 'only writing abt emery' disease again... that's how i traumatize that boy. just ask freckles.

[lovevalley45]

#fictober day thirteen

"Come with me, hurry."

original fiction (power payback)

word count: 818

Magni didn’t think he could ever get over the Marottos’ backyard. Even at six years old, he knew for sure that it was hard to find something like it. It was like stepping into another world, full of colorful blooms, towering plants, rows of vegetables and fruit trees. He couldn’t help thinking of the bright pictures in the children’s Bible his dad had given him of the Garden of Eden. 

Without question, he always ended up out there when his mom had him go to the Marottos’ after school. He didn’t really like dirt, or mud, or grass. But he didn’t mind letting Daisy lead him around the garden. 

The two of them were sat beneath the big tree that protected a large swatch of the yard from the burning sun. They were supposed to be doing homework, but Daisy’s grandma had told them to go play outside while her brother tried to nap. 

Under the shade of the tree, she was tying daisies into a chain as he watched. There hadn’t been that many when they first sat down, but now they seemed to surround them. Magni snatched up two of the daisies that had popped up near his feet, wanting to copy her movements. 

“Be careful,” Daisy said, turning to look at him. “They don’t like when you yank them so hard.”

“Sorry,” Magni said, before he went to tying the two stems together. “How’d you know that?”

She shook her head. “I’m not s’posed to tell you. Mommy told me I can’t.”

“I won’t tell,” he said. He put his finger to his mouth. “Promise.”

Daisy glanced around the empty yard. Through the door, he could see her grandma at the kitchen table, focusing on trying to help her sister do her homework. She leaned in close. “My family is special. My mommy and my sister are. And me.”

He frowned. “What d’you mean, special?”

“She says we got a talent. It’s bonato- bokano.” Daisy scrunched up her nose and sounded the word out as she said it, “Botanokinesis.”

“Whoa. What’s that?”

“We’re really good with plants. And I can hear them talking. But it’s s’posed to be a secret ‘cause not everyone can do it.”

Magni looked down at the daisies. He was more careful as he pulled another one out. “Sorry,” he told them again. 

“They say it’s okay,” Daisy said, smiling. 

Another one popped out in its place, then a second. 

“Like magic,” he mumbled. 

“Petunia says it isn’t magic, but I dunno what it is. It’s just a talent.”

Magni thought it must’ve been a very different talent than he knew. His mom always told him his dad had a talent for acting since they meant. But he didn’t think his dad could do anything cool like summon flowers. 

Daisy set down her chain of flowers. “I’m tired of making flower crowns.”

“Okay,” he said. 

“Oh, I think Prim is coming.” She hopped up and reached up towards the tree. Like the same kind of magic, a branch bent down until she could wrap a small hand around it. It took her a few tries to pull herself up on it, but when she got up there, she held a hand out to Magni. “Come with me, hurry.”

“Are you sure? Won’t we get in trouble if your grandma sees?” Magni asked. 

“The tree will hide us,” she said. 

Magni took her hand and joined her on the tree limb. He felt a little unsteady, but he grabbed ahold as it went higher, back where it had been before. 

The tree’s leaves came around, shielding them from the view outside. They fell into place just as Primrose stepped out. She glanced around the ground. “Daisy? Magni?”

Daisy tried not to giggle as Magni continued to cling to the branch. 

“This isn’t funny, where are yo-” Primrose walked up to the tree. “Daisy. Don’t make me use my talent.”

She stuck her head out of the leaves. “How’d you know?” Daisy gasped, bringing her head back in. “I can’t believe you’d snitch!”

“I didn’t say anything!” Magni exclaimed. 

“Not you, the tree,” she said with a pout. 

“Well, Magni’s mom is coming to pick him up, so you have to let him down,” Primrose told her. 

“Fine.” 

Magni grabbed the branch tighter as it got close to the ground again, then leaped off. Primrose put a hand on his shoulder, then looked expectantly at the branch. “Don’t make me get Grandma Mary.”

Daisy leapt off the branch, falling onto the grass. “I’m good!” she shouted. 

“Go get your stuff, Magni,” Primrose said.  

From her spot in the grass, Daisy raised her head. Propping her elbow on the ground, she repeated his gesture, pressing a finger to her mouth.

Magni nodded, before he ran back inside. He hadn’t been asked to keep many secrets, but this one he’d hold close to his chest.